Oedipus was not destined to have a good life. He was given a prophecy that said "A beggar instead of rich he will travel foreign earth, tapping it with his staff. He will be revealed to live with his children as brother and father both; and to his parents he is both his wife’s son and lord and his father’s fellow-sower and slayer". Meaning that he is going to kill his father and have children with his mother, which, in any society, is very bad. Despite his best efforts, the prophecy came true; Oedipus unknowingly slayed his father and married his mother. When news got out Oedipus lost everything he had gained: status, wealth, and family. Tragedy that not only effects him, but his entire family. Oedipus realizes this when he says "My children, what's your prospect? Who will risk the foul reproaches". He knows that his children will grow up as outcast because of his life. This is the real tragedy, knowing that the suffering will reach beyond Oedipus. To deal with his anger, Oedipus wants to kill Jocasta, but after discovering that she killed herself, he needs another means of redemption. He stabs his eyes saying what is the point of seeing if there is nothing worth seeing. Oedipus knows that there is nothing that can redeem himself from this and wishes for death. However, Creon won't give into Oedipus wishes, which is another tragedy that he has to live out the rest of his life blind and suffering. Oedipus
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